Collecting minimal user information

[BigBison]

Web applications are in constant competition for a user's attention. Unlike shrink-wrap software, there's often no captive audience, and web apps must gently guide and woo users to help them to the best experience of the software.

This is particularly true when considering the problem of collecting personal details from a user. Collect too little information, and your app might not be able to function effectively. Collect too much information, and you raise the barrier for participation with your application. Users may either not be bothered, be alarmed at the apparent intrusion into their privacy, or fill out bogus information.

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http://times.usefulinc.com/2007/06/22-disclosure

[chaos]

I often find myself as a user running into such situations all the time with forms, etc. I typically don't mind answering a few questions here and there (email/first and last name/zip code), but if I see a lot of questions (and I only intend to use the website/account once for a non-financial purpose) I usually just make up answers. It's way easier (and might I add fun) to just put "000-000-0000" for a phone number, and "I Don't Exist Street" for an address. Often, this information is only pertinent if the user (I) would like to receive info in this way, or be reminded on their (my) Birthday. Because I don't care, I shouldn't have to fill it out (no loss to them if they don't have my phone number), and therefore I often don't. Am I the only one here who does this?

[Corey Bryant]

Great information. I had a conference call last night where they were discussing this actually. One thing they also suggested was to stop asking for the email address twice. Most people just copy and paste it anyway